Destinations

My Secret Wakayama – Attractions, Itinerary and Travel Guide to This Hidden Gem 1 Hour From Osaka

July 2, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

My recent trip to Wakayama encapsulated the ease and convenience of visiting Japan’s off-the-beaten path destinations. I have so far been to Japan for five times prior to this trip and had not known about Wakayama until I was invited to participate in the “My Secret Wakayama” project. It is an initiative to uncover this little known destination in the southern part of Kansai region brimming with resorts, historic attractions and some of the best ramen in Japan.

Despite being little known to foreign visitors aside from Mt. Koya which is also located within Wakayama’s namesake prefecture, the city is surprisingly easy to get to. From Kansai International Airport, it is slightly less than 1 hour away which makes it practical to combine with a trip to Osaka and Kyoto.

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The Ultimate Laos Itinerary – Vientiane, Luangprabang and Champasak in One Week

June 27, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Laos is no longer the undiscovered country that it once was. Sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam, the Southeast Asian nation has benefited from tremendous growth in the region’s tourism sector. Visitors come here to experience a more relaxed pace of life – whether it be in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luangprabang, the laidback capital of Vientiane or in the ancient ruins of Champasak or the Plain of Jars.

Here is an itinerary for Laos that can be easily done in as little as 5 days to 1 week, depending on your pace.

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The Perfect Itinerary for Uzbekistan – Tracing the Ancient Silk Road

June 19, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Mention the word Uzbekistan and thoughts of the ancient silk road immediately comes up. Cities such as Bukhara and Samarkand have been etched into many a wanderluster’s minds as being synonymous to adventure and the exotic. These days, Uzbekistan is a frequently touristed destination, though nowhere near popular places such as Thailand or even India. This particular itinerary shows you how you can do the main silk road cities of Uzbekistan in just one week.

Tip: When entering Uzbekistan, you will need to declare exactly how much cash and valuables with you. The key is that after your trip, you should not leave the country with more than what you came in. It may be quite a hassle upon arrival as it causes a bit of a queue at customs.

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Why You Should Add Kazan, Tatarstan to Your Trip to Russia

June 1, 2018 by Bino Leave a Comment

Ironically enough, the city that excited me the most during my trip to Russia was neither St. Petersburg nor Moscow. Sure, I was really looking forward to seeing St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square with my own eyes and to wander around the exhibits in the Hermitage but there was something about the Tatars, a Turkic people that call parts of Russia home, that really piqued my interest.

Compared to the Orthodox Christian majority that define most of Russia, Tatarstan (a republic within the Russian Federation) has a Muslim majority. The result is a hodgepodge of cultures. You have Russian with a distinct Turkic blend and this is manifested in the bilingual signs and varied cuisine in Kazan, its capital.

As it is a bit out of the way relative to the typical Russian itinerary, most people don’t visit Tatarstan at all. But if you have a couple of extra days to spare, I wholeheartedly recommend taking the 1.5 hour or so flight to Kazan for a slice of Russia that you definitely don’t see in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Without further ado, here are the top things you can do in Kazan.

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The Perfect Itinerary for Russia – St. Petersburg to Moscow in One Week

May 31, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

Given the vastness of Russia, a visitor can come here for any number of days and find that they’ve barely scratched the surface of what this northern country has to offer. A cross country trip would easily entail a medium-haul flight so it is perhaps not surprising that most visitors concentrate in the main touristic centers between St. Petersburg and Moscow, the capital. If you are visiting Russia and have around one week to spare, here is a suggested itinerary for you to follow.

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The Perfect Itinerary For Mauritius

May 28, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

Compared to many of the other small island nations scattered around the Indian Ocean, Mauritius offers so much more than your typical sunbathing and beaches. Within its 2,040 square kilometers; you’ll find plenty of mountain peaks, jungles and awesome natural land formations to keep you busy for days. This is on top of the cultural and historic sights that dot its small towns and cities. Most people make the mistake of coming to Mauritius for a short trip – like during a weekend – only to realize that they’ve barely scratched the surface of the country by the time they leave. This itinerary covers Mauritius within 5 days which I think is the minimum number of days needed in order to really see what the island has to offer.

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The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary For Kota Kinabalu (If You’re Not Into Mountain Climbing)

May 19, 2018 by Bino 1 Comment

Kota Kinabalu has become synonymous to its namesake mountain, one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. While Mt. Kinabalu often overshadows the city, this cosmopolitan hub stands as an increasingly popular gateway to the exotic island of Borneo, the world’s 4th largest. It’s quite apparent that this destination offers plenty for those with a knack for outdoor pursuits but few realize that KK works just as well even for those not planning to climb a single step up the well-trodden peak. Every time I tell my friends that I’m going to the state capital of Sabah, they ask me if I’m climbing – leaving them with a perplexed expression when I tell them I’m not. Believe me, there are a lot of things to see and do in Kota Kinabalu whether or not you choose to spend a few days to scale Mt. Kinabalu. I have been to the city twice and still feel that there’s much more to do. Here is my suggested itinerary for a short trip to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia.

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Mauritius or Seychelles – Which Country Should You Visit If You Can Pick Only One?

April 24, 2018 by Bino 3 Comments

The two countries of Mauritius and Seychelles share a lot more in common than just their West Indian Ocean location. Having been both under French and then British rule, the two archipelagic nations count on a unique creole culture, stunning beaches, exclusive resorts and plenty of sunshine as their main draws. Due to this overlap, many travelers often wonder if they should visit Mauritius or Seychelles. I have been to both and have noted the nuances of these two beautiful countries. If you are deciding on visiting just one of these countries – whether for a relaxing holiday, honeymoon or simply to experience a new culture; here are things to consider before going on that trip.

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